Strategic Communications and Partnerships Specialist

Job Highlight
This position is co-located within the Communications and Partnerships & Development teams, with a focus on strengthening how SEforALL tells its story to diverse global audiences.
About The Project Office
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) has a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. Hosted by UNOPS, we work at the intersection of energy, climate and development, partnering with governments and organizations worldwide to end energy poverty, double energy efficiency, significantly expand renewable energy and combat climate change.
Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance flows, increased localization and green jobs, and faster results toward an energy transition that leaves no one behind.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Since then, our CEO has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.
Role Purpose
The Strategic Communications and Partnerships Specialist will lead the development of human-centred storytelling that brings SEforALL's mission, programmes and impact to life for diverse global audiences. The Specialist will translate complex energy, climate and development issues into clear, engaging narratives that demonstrate tangible impact, elevate the voices of beneficiaries and partners, and strengthen SEforALL's position as a trusted leader on sustainable energy.
Working across the Communications and Partnerships & Development (P&D) teams, the Specialist will identify and develop stories and campaigns that support advocacy, executive positioning, stakeholder engagement and resource mobilisation. The Specialist will also ensure a consistent, distinctive SEforALL narrative across programmes, platforms and external engagements.
This is a part-time retainer role, with an expected commitment of up to 12 days per month on average over 12 months.
In duty stations where the National Professional Officer (NPO) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the contract modality (Local ICA or International ICA) may be evaluated based on the nationality and/or permanent residency status of the preferred candidate.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Under the direct supervision of the Directors of Communications and of Partnerships & Development (P&D), the Specialist will be responsible for the following key functions:
Storytelling and Content Development
Lead the build-out of SEforALL's new storytelling platform, producing narrative content that centres on beneficiaries and partners.
Work with programme and country teams to identify and craft human-centred stories that demonstrate tangible impact.
Introduce innovative storytelling approaches, including digital advocacy and multimedia formats.
Advocacy and Strategic Communications
Craft messaging for leadership, international events and global campaigns that advances advocacy and influences policy agendas.
Strengthen executive positioning through speeches, briefing notes, talking points and op-eds.
Work with internal teams to ensure communications reflect organisational priorities and extend SEforALL's global reach.
Resource Mobilisation and Donor Engagement
Partner with leadership to articulate SEforALL's value proposition and mobilise resources and partnerships.
Coordinate the development of a private-sector donor interface that diversifies funding streams through flexible, rapid-contribution mechanisms.
Design and produce donor-facing assets, including pitch decks, brochures and programme overviews, to support the fundraising strategy and secure funding.
Impact Reporting and Insights
Gather and synthesise qualitative and quantitative impact data from SEforALL convenings, and translate the findings into tailored messaging for internal stakeholders and external funders.
Monitor global energy and climate discourse to identify communication and positioning opportunities.
Capture lessons learned and analytics to continuously refine SEforALL's global communications approach.
Education Requirements
Required
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, business studies, public policy, climate, sustainable energy or related fields is required.
A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, business studies, public policy, climate, sustainable energy or related fields with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.
Required
Experience Requirements
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in strategic communications including messaging, creating compelling narratives, speech writing, writing articles, producing complex communications products that incorporate sound structure, clarity, logic and persuasion is required.
Experience in the climate, sustainable energy or development sector is required.
Desired
Experience in translating complex technical and policy issues into clear, compelling, and accessible content, including speeches, op-eds, reports, briefs, and digital content is desirable.
Proven ability to engage diverse governments, donors, private sector, civil society and media with tailored and persuasive messaging is desirable.
Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations is desirable.

Work arrangement
Yes